Wedding Gown Restoration
If you’re going to keep that beautiful wedding dress that was passed down to you, you’re going to need to take the proper steps to clean it and restore it. Wedding gown restoration is a process in which dresses are cleaned thoroughly by hand with the intent of restoring it to the day it was first purchased. Generally restoration is required for gowns that are over 20 years of age. Once restored, preservation becomes essential to keep it from deteriorating or becoming damaged later on down the line. Restoring and preserving your gown allows you to store it for future use, to pass down to your little one, or just to look at whenever you want to be reminded of that special day. Below, you will find some great tips on how to properly clean, preserve, and store your treasured wedding gown.
Always Shop Around
Before storing the wedding dress you should really ensure that you’ve cleaned it properly. Storing a dress without cleaning it first leaves the chance for stains and smells to set in and never come out. While some brides might feel comfortable in completing the cleaning process on their own, others might prefer to go to the cleaners. It is imperative that you do not just choose the cheapest option. It’s best to select a wedding gown restoration specialist in order to get the results you want.
Always Insist on Eco Friendly Protection
Your gown may be priceless to you and it is made from some of the most delicate of fabrics. Once you get the restoration process completed, it will need to be properly wrapped and then boxed for storage. An ordinary cleaner will utilize plastics whereas a professional wedding gown restoration specialist will wrap your gown in only eco friendly materials. These materials are essential so your dress can breathe while stored away. Some materials that might be used should include:
- Acid free paper
- Muslin
- Acid free preservation chest
Always Request a Guarantee
Choose a professional wedding gown restoration specialist that will offer you a guarantee. Guaranties are a necessity. Sometimes the affects of a bad preservation job won’t show up until years later. A professional that won’t give you a guarantee could mean that they’re not on the up and up with their cleaning process. Should something go wrong a professional should be willing to back up their services to ensure your satisfaction. Look for a guarantee that covers your life time if not longer. Guaranties can be 10 years or up to 100 years.
Storing Your Gown
Once you have the restoration of the wedding gown completed the storage of the gown becomes important. It should be stored in a carefully thought out place to ensure that it does not become damaged. When storing your gown please keep a few of these things in mind:
- Gowns should only be wrapped in acid free materials and then placed inside of a preservation chest or box for storage
- The box or preservation chest needs to be stored in a location in which the humidity levels are consistent. This means avoid attics and basements. Closets tend to be the best location for storing your gown
- The gown should be checked every two to three years and inspected. Remember to wash your hands before handling the gown in order to prevent dirt or oils getting on the gown.
These four essential tips are sure to help you in keeping your gown for many years from now. Who knows, one day you could be watching your little girl walk down the aisle in “something borrowed” that meant so much to you.
photo credit: Wedding Dress – Factory Outlet via photopin cc
